Saturday, March 17, 2012

Schultheis improving after heart attack Wednesday

Former state Sen. Dave Schultheis is recovering from a heart attack that he suffered Wednesday morning.

Schultheis, 71, was elected to the state Senate in 2006, serving one term. Prior to that, he served three terms in the state House. Since leaving the Senate at the end of 2010, he has stayed active in the political world, poring over proposed legislation, counseling legislators, and acting as a mentor to Republican candidates.

He's going to be taking some time off off from his political work to recuperate, he says.

On Friday, he went on Facebook to describe his ordeal. The heart attack began early Wednesday morning. He was in an intense amount of pain. It took his doctors eight hours to identify the clogged arteries, and he is scheduled to be back in the hospital later this month.

When contacted Saturday by the Indy, he replied by email:

"I am overwhelmed and humbled by the numerous expressions of love and concern, appreciation of my past work in the legislature and commitment to pray for me during this time. I am truly grateful to so many wonderful people around the state who contacted me by email, phone calls, hospital visits and Facebook posts. To experience a sense that so many people care for you is overwhelming. I wish I could adequately express my gratitude to each of them."